Hike of the Week: New Echo Canyon trailhead

Camelback Mountain as seen from Piestewa Peak. Echo Canyon Summit Trail at Camelback Mountain.(Photo: Mare Czinar/Special for the Republic)

Hiking blogger Mare Czinar likes nothing better than to hit the trail. Read her full report on this hike and find more recommendations at arizonahiking.blogspot.com.

After being closed for improvements for nearly a year, the new Echo Canyon trailhead at Camelback Mountain has opened. Providing access to one of the most iconic and infamously crowded in-town hikes, the area features smoother traffic flow, double the parking, restrooms, water and a stabilizing trail realignment.

The summit of Camelback Mountain is the highest point in Phoenix and the aggressive ascent is a prime workout for peak-bagging hikers and cardio trainers alike.

This trail is not recommended for novice hikers or those unaccustomed to desert conditions. Although it's frequently touted as a "must do" for out-of-state visitors, Summit Trail is not a walk in the park. It's an insanely steep haul with loose footing, sheer drop-offs and elbow-to-elbow traffic. With so many other wonderful Phoenix hiking destinations, it's smart to test your mettle elsewhere.